So...I was a few blocks away from my house, and suddenly smoke started billowing out from underneath my hood (this is my '97 Protege). I pulled over, touched the hood to make sure it wasn't hot, and popped the hood--more smoke came out, but fortunately no flame. Anyway, I saw that my power steering belt had burnt/melted through and was lying on the ground.
I was only a few blocks away from home, so I started the car back up and turned on the fan to clear the smoke out of the cabin. I was able to drive the car, although steering was much, much harder; the Protege may only weigh ~2400 lbs, but it also has a rather small steering wheel. I ride my bike or take the subway to school, so I don't need to drive, and take my g/f's car most places anyway (its newer and nicer), so I'm not expecting to need to drive my car before I can fix it next weekend...but I'm wondering if anyone else out there has driven without their power steering? Also, out of morbid curiosity, does anyone know the last car to come without power steering (assuming all cars these days come with it)?
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I was only a few blocks away from home, so I started the car back up and turned on the fan to clear the smoke out of the cabin. I was able to drive the car, although steering was much, much harder; the Protege may only weigh ~2400 lbs, but it also has a rather small steering wheel. I ride my bike or take the subway to school, so I don't need to drive, and take my g/f's car most places anyway (its newer and nicer), so I'm not expecting to need to drive my car before I can fix it next weekend...but I'm wondering if anyone else out there has driven without their power steering? Also, out of morbid curiosity, does anyone know the last car to come without power steering (assuming all cars these days come with it)?
